Mitakata

Situated beneath a fortress and 5 kms from sandy beaches, the retreat is a collection of six accommodations set in a private estate with a freshwater swimming pool. The estate is home to part of the Gentilini Vineyard.

A new and unique concept - a tranquil Mediterranean Arcadia, a rural setting for the understated sophistication of six individually decorated and furnished rooms geared to total comfort and relaxation. Twenty acres of ancient olive grove for the sole enjoyment of a maximum twelve guests. A place to unwind, read, converse, take a dip in the swimming pool, paint, meditate - or, because of the estate's central location, explore the stunning beauty of the island in easy stages..

Six double rooms, each with private entrance and ample outside space, are spread out in two groups over the estate. All are individually furnished with quiet sophistication, blending period and modern furniture, to echo a familiar environment in size, comfort and style. The rooms are cleaned daily and linen is changed twice a week. Each air-conditioned room is provided with a large, en suite shower-room with modern plumbing and constant hot water, hairdryer and shaver point. Breakfast-making facilities included a good-sized refrigerator, kettle and crockery and cutlery for two. There is also a desktop with plug.

The sizeable swimming pool is set apart from the rooms to ensure privacy and quiet, and is for the exclusive use of guests and offers an 'honesty bar'.

A well-stocked, complimentary welcome basket is provided upon arrival and guests have privileged, complimentary access to the Gentilini Winery and are offered a tutored tasting of its internationally acclaimed wines. Guests may order a picnic basket a day in advance to enjoy at the estate or take with them as they explore the island. Special arrangements can be made for groups of three rooms or more.

GENTILINI RETEAT CONTACT
For availability, additional information or to order a booking and information package please contact Ms Helen Cosmetatos
Ms Helen Cosmetatos
P O Box 118, Argostoli
28100 Cephalonia
Greece
Tel and Fax ++30 26710 26632
Email: retreat@in.gr
Gentilini Retreat Website www.gentiliniretreat.gr

Guests of the Gentilini Retreat have privileged, complimentary access to the Gentilini Winery and are offered a tutored tasting of its internationally acclaimed wines. For information on the Gentilini Winery please visit its website at www.gentilini.gr.
Postal Address Gentilini Winery, Minies, 28100 Cephalonia

The Gentilini Retreat is a haven for nature lovers and walking within the state will offer panoramic views of the Castle of St George. The swimming pool is set between an olive grove and Cypress trees and within the estate there are lemon, lime and orange trees as well as fig and quince. Bird-spotters can hope to see collared turtle doves, magpies, hoopoes and scops owls. Dry-wall seating is provided throughout the retreat to encourage walks and meditation. The estate has its own herb garden with oregano, thyme and lavender in abundance as well as an organic vegetable patch and egg laying hens. It also produces honey, olive oil and, or course, the world famous Gentilini wine in the winery and vineyards to which guests receive privileged access and hospitality.
The Gentinili estate is within the village of Mitakata which is about ten minutes walk away from another tiny village - Demousandata. The nearest taverna is in the village of Troianata which is about 25 minutes walk to the north of the estate. The castle of St George to the south takes about 25 minutes on foot (or 5 mins by car). Here there is a choice of places to eat and plenty of interesting exploring. The castle is open every day except Monday. Facing the castle on the other side of the hill is the church of the Evangelistria which dates back to 1578. The narrow streets of the village of Kastro have remains of pre-earthquake houses still to be seen. There is an art gallery which opens in high season. Below the Kastro is the village of Peratata with some tavernas and a wonderful pastry shop.

Beaches on the south of the island are sandy and the nearest ones to the Gentilini Estate are those in the area of the village of Svoronata, which are Ai Heli, a small sandy cove accessibly by steep steps with provision of beach facilities, Megalipetra which is uncommercialised with no beach facilities. The other side of the Megali Petra (Large Rock) is Avithos which has sunbeds and umbrellas for hire as well as a beach cantina and a two tavernas by the beach. Further along the coast the beach of Spartia provides sandy coves and a selection of restaurants near the beach. Aghios Thomas is a small rocky outlet with a sandy cove to be found after driving through the village of Karavados and this is perfect for snorkelling. Trapezaki has long sandy beaches with some sunbeds for hire and a taverna near the beach. Lithero is the beach between Trapezaki and Lourdas. Lithero has a taverna by the beach and Lourdas is the more commercialised of all in this area with beach facilities, snack-bar, tavernas, water-sports and motor-boat hire available.

Mitakata is situated between two of the most important monasteries on the island. Saint Gerassimos monastery is about 15 minutes' drive and houses the remains of the island's patron saint as well as the largest Greek Orthadox church on the island inaugurated in 1992. The original and much smaller church of St Gerassimos has been built over the Saint's hermitage which can be reached by ladder. Saint Andreas monastery is 10 mins drive away and was founded during the Byzantine era. It was re-established in 1579 and houses precious remains of Saint Andrew as well as an ecclesiastical museum housed in the only building of the monastery which was preserved from the 1953 earthquake.

The Gentilini estate has been in the family since the 1770's, a dowry brought to Demetrio Gentilini by his young bride Diamantula Volterra. The land, much of it lying outside the present-day perimeter, was well protected by the encircling hills, and in close proximity to the Castle of St. George, seat of the Venetian government and defensible stronghold against pirate raids and enemy attacks. The monumental size of some of the olive trees bears witness to continuous cultivation since antiquity. The cypress grove, on the other hand, is a modern feature, planted at the beginning of the 20th century by Spridion Focas Cosmetatos who married the last descendant of the Gentilini family.

The original two-storey house was not meant for continuous habitation. The owner would take up residence only during harvest time to ensure that his part of the produce would be paid in, the land being farmed on a share-cropping basis. The house was of typical plan and construction. Indeed, the oldest part of the property consists of the remains of the ground floor storerooms for agricultural produce - oil, wine, fodder. An external staircase led to the living quarters: a succession of rooms opening onto a central space. The stone masonry was always plastered, except for the vault under the staircase. The flat wooden ceiling upstairs created extra storage space under the tiled roof. The more recent structures were erected after the devastating earthquakes of 1953 to house seasonal pickers from mainland Greece.